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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think GB News isn't a real news channel?

137 replies

TooBigForMyBoots · 14/07/2023 02:26

Because it's mostly comedians and failed/ failing politicians chatting shit?

It's not news, it's something else.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
6
Againstmachine · 14/07/2023 06:52

Nope it isn't a news channel, that said, BBC news,sky news are so agenda driven these days I have my doubts on them.

Bbc reporting during COVID was some of the worst I have seen.

Mummyoflittledragon · 14/07/2023 07:07

I was going to compare it to Fox News but see that’s already been mentioned. I have said I think it’s a news channel simply because the BBC and Sky News etc are also so biased these days and report on such a small amount of what is going on in the world so I’m struggling to see much difference tbh. I listen to GB news on the radio some days in the car because they do actually discuss things not broadcast on mainstream radio, including FWR. I’m perfectly able to filter out the noise around Brexit and immigration.

Coveescapee · 14/07/2023 07:24

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 14/07/2023 06:34

I think the problem with GB News is that it calls itself "News". This means that viewers who lack critical thinking skills might get confused and think it's actually news rather than right wing propaganda.

There should be some minimum standards with regard to balance and truth for channels to be able to describe themselves as news, imo. The "low credibility" channels should be described in some other way.

I assume you think you are one of the ones with critical thinking skills unlike us thickies. I think this is more of a problem with the BBC which is extremely biased and ignores some stories whilst ridiculously accentuating others but has a higher reputation with the public due to its historical performance. I am old enough to remember the great political journalists and interviewers of the 70s and 80s who actually asked proper questions and offered serious analysis. I would call what they offer now propaganda offered from a London centric smug patronising viewpoint.

LlynTegid · 14/07/2023 07:26

GB discussion would be a more accurate one.

As for the BBC, the Tories have scared them into submission by threats to abolish or decriminalise the licence fee.

DdraigGoch · 14/07/2023 07:32

cakeorwine · 14/07/2023 06:51

Does it identify as a Talk channel?

Show quote history

Either that or an Apache helicopter. Apparently people "are who they say they are" these days.

Swrigh1234 · 14/07/2023 07:35

OP found a convoluted, contrived way of expressing her faux outrage for anything that’s not left wing and GB news and anyone who watches it because apparently ‘it’s not news’. As opposed to all the intellectual 100% true content she consumes on the news channels.

Swrigh1234 · 14/07/2023 07:38

FlorenceOrTheMachine · 14/07/2023 05:00

From wikipedia:

"News is information about current events. This may be provided through many different media: word of mouth, printing, postal systems, broadcasting, electronic communication, or through the testimony of observers and witnesses to events. News is sometimes called "hard news" to differentiate it from soft media."

I mean, it's hardly rocket science to have a decent intuitive grasp of what is actual news and what is bollox.

GB News is news in the same sense that Fox News is. It's a media network owned by a congomerate of very wealthy individuals who want to access to UK business markets whilst paying as little tax as possible. To this end they push an (often extreme) rightwing agenda that supports their business aims and appeals to a portion of the UK electorate of a certain rosy pink complexion.

Media Bias Fact check report it as having a credibility rating of "Low Credibility". Full report here: https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/gb-news-uk-bias/

From this I infer that GB News profers bollox.

Show quote history

What is the extreme right wing content you’ve seen on there?

ChunkaMunkaBoomBoom · 14/07/2023 07:39

It’s an American style news channels where everything is reported from one POV and the presenters scream their opinions at you.

So ‘news’ in a sense but not what most British people are used to…

Whiskyinajar · 14/07/2023 07:41

OP asks a question and gets two snarky replies rapidly. Welcome to Mumsnet.

Thankfully the better mannered and better educated crowd then arrived.

I agree OP, it's more of an opinion show about news. I have watched occasionally but am too heart broken by the mental breakdown Neil Oliver appears to have had. Someone I used to like, admire and have seen at various talks. He appeared to lose it over lockdown and is now appearing in GB News talking gibberish and conspiracy theories.

Middlelanehogger · 14/07/2023 07:44

Have some respect for your fellow citizens OP. People know what GB News is and like the format and that's why the watch it. They're not confused idiots who are too stupid to know that they're watching a current affairs discussion panel.

Wishitsnows · 14/07/2023 07:46

OFCOM has it registered as an entertainment channel. They do try to pretend it’s a news channel. A few of their ‘reporters’ who go to locations to report and interview people are really terrible. I guess it’s the only place that would hire them.

NameChange245 · 14/07/2023 07:50

I think the whole.point of GB news is to be controversial. They want people to dislike them, find them annoying, and talk about them. It gets discussion going and that's the point. The fact you started a thread about GB news is exactly the point of GB news. That's exactly what they r after and they are doing it well.

Personally I love a bit of GB news in the car. Its interesting and the fact I don't always agree with what they r saying is good to stimulate thinking and get me actively involved in the news (in my head) rather than being a passive absorber of it.

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 14/07/2023 07:50

Wishitsnows · 14/07/2023 07:46

OFCOM has it registered as an entertainment channel. They do try to pretend it’s a news channel. A few of their ‘reporters’ who go to locations to report and interview people are really terrible. I guess it’s the only place that would hire them.

If it calls itself "news", then it should be regulated as a news channel and not as an entertainment channel. If it is registered as an entertainment channel, then it should be called something other than "news".

Sadly, lots of people do lack the ability to be able to tell the difference. Sorry if that offends but it's the truth.

Thebestwaytoscareatory · 14/07/2023 07:51

There are rules around politicians presenting programmes which say politicians are allowed to be newsreaders, interviewers or reporters in news programmes, except in some specific circumstances.

I'm sure OFCOM are investigating a few GB News shows with the company themselves arguing that it's not really a news channel to avoid getting in trouble.

So it's not a news channel, it's a right wing opinion echo chamber fronting as a current affairs show. It's a bit like those weird "history" or "science" shows that crop up like ancient aliens where there's a vestige of science and history that soon evaporates into complete nonsense.

Usou · 14/07/2023 07:56

Honestly, where do you go if you want to watch any real news these days?

My understanding is that GB News was purportedly set up to oppose the woke slant of the main news channels - which as a pp mentioned are highly agenda-driven.

However, there are still apparently parameters on what can be discussed on GBN.

I would prefer it to say Question Time these days, which is unwatchable.

Middlelanehogger · 14/07/2023 07:58

Newsflash @Thebestwaytoscareatory right-wing people are allowed opinions on current affairs too ;)

Coveescapee · 14/07/2023 08:07

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 14/07/2023 07:50

If it calls itself "news", then it should be regulated as a news channel and not as an entertainment channel. If it is registered as an entertainment channel, then it should be called something other than "news".

Sadly, lots of people do lack the ability to be able to tell the difference. Sorry if that offends but it's the truth.

Show quote history

No it doesn't offend just irritating. I met so many people like you during Brexit and lockdown, always works consider themselves left wing who think they're critical thinkers and people who think differently are abit thick whilst imbibing uncritically only the BBC/Guardianviewpoint (usually the same), thinking this is an unbiased view with no agenda. I personally read alot if different media from different viewpoints at the time and constantly tried to challenge my views - you should try it.GB News was /is much needed.

StefanosHill · 14/07/2023 08:11

Usou · 14/07/2023 07:56

Honestly, where do you go if you want to watch any real news these days?

My understanding is that GB News was purportedly set up to oppose the woke slant of the main news channels - which as a pp mentioned are highly agenda-driven.

However, there are still apparently parameters on what can be discussed on GBN.

I would prefer it to say Question Time these days, which is unwatchable.

I haven’t watched GBN at all but agree on Question Time. Both doing their own thing.

Fine some like one over the other, not everyone has to look at the same thing.

Probably better if they don’t

On the name no issue either, Newsnight uses it too

StefanosHill · 14/07/2023 08:13

Swrigh1234 · 14/07/2023 07:35

OP found a convoluted, contrived way of expressing her faux outrage for anything that’s not left wing and GB news and anyone who watches it because apparently ‘it’s not news’. As opposed to all the intellectual 100% true content she consumes on the news channels.

People just need to get over trying to control what others watch

Usually one side more committed to it

Whoisit101 · 14/07/2023 08:14

There appears to be some developments about another personality. Seems all organisations have their issues.

Coveescapee · 14/07/2023 08:15

Yes the left always try to control the plebs. When/if Labour get in expect more of the same.

StefanosHill · 14/07/2023 08:22

Coveescapee · 14/07/2023 08:15

Yes the left always try to control the plebs. When/if Labour get in expect more of the same.

They can try but it can have kick back

CampsieGlamper · 14/07/2023 08:25

Unfortunately a lot of what passes as "news" on all channels is gossip, pre digested magazine pap, Oh look at the sick and dying child/celebrity, and water cooler chitchat.

TodayInahurry · 14/07/2023 08:28

Do you watch and believe BBC output? We hardly ever watch the BBC it’s programs are awful, so is the gem that was Radio 4

Coveescapee · 14/07/2023 08:30

No we got rid of the licence during Covid. Felt like kicking the TV with their inane reporting.